The trend estimate of building work done fell 0.5% in the June quarter 2003, with falls in both residential and non-residential building. In each sector, the fall follows eight successive quarters of growth.

Engineering work rose for the ninth successive quarter, up 1.5% in the latest quarter. Growth for the last eight quarters has been driven by the private sector, up 4.1% in the latest quarter compared with a fall of 0.5% in the public sector.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of building work done fell 3.4% in the June quarter to $11,282.0m. Residential building fell 3.4% to $7,648.5m, following nine successive quarterly increases. Non-residential building fell 3.6% to $3,633.5m. However, the March quarter 2003 levels for both sectors were the highest since the June quarter 2000.

Engineering work done rose 1.0% to $6,206.2m, the fourth successive quarterly record level. Work for the private sector fell 1.8% from last quarter’s record level, to $3,364.8m, whereas the public sector rose 4.6% to $2,841.4m.

Following nine successive quarterly increases, total construction work fell 1.9% from the previous quarter’s record level, to $17,488.2m.

NOTES

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

This publication provides an early indication of trends in building and engineering construction activity. The data are estimates based on a response rate of approximately 80% of the value of both building and engineering work done during the quarter. More comprehensive and updated results will be released in Building Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8752.0) on 13 October 2003 and in Engineering Construction Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8762.0) on 10 October 2003.

Note that additional time series are available on AusStats. For the state and territory building work done series shown in tables 9 and 10, work done (and corresponding percentage changes) for each state and territory is available by private sector/all sectors and by type of building, i.e. by the same dissections as shown for Australia in tables 7 and 8.

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

Quarterly chain volume data incorporate a new base year, 2001-02, which has resulted in revisions to growth rates, small in most cases, for subsequent periods. In addition, the reference year has been advanced to 2001-02, thereby preserving additivity in the quarters after the reference year. Re-referencing resulted in revisions to levels, but not growth rates, for all periods.

Seasonally adjusted and trend estimates have been revised as a result of the adoption of new seasonal adjustment methodology. Concurrent seasonal adjustment has replaced forward factor methodology for all seasonally adjusted series in this publication. See paragraphs 26 and 27 of the Explanatory Notes.

SIGNIFICANT REVISIONS THIS ISSUE

Some non-residential building work done in Western Australia from and including the September quarter 2002, previously included as work done for the public sector, has now been reclassified as work done for the private sector. The revisions affect tables 1-8.

Some engineering construction work done in New South Wales from and including the March quarter 2003, previously included as work done for the public sector, has now been reclassified as work done for the private sector. The revisions affect tables 1-4.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact Tony Bammann on Adelaide 08 8237 7316, or the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.

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